Collapsible cellular carton



Nov. 39 H951 H V, BQLDlNG 2,574,461

COLLPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTON Filed June 24, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 HQI.

`\- 46 /2` 0/ 4,'4 pe g 86 46 Z6 gi @l INVENTOR. 60 HUGI'Z. Velnzwao 66,BY @me Nw., l, 1951 H. v. BoLolNG 2,574,461

COLLPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTON Filed June 24, 1948 f 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2Patented Nov. 13, 1951 COLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTON Hubert VelmanBolding, Jeffersonville, Ind., as-

sgnor to The Bradley da Gilbert Company,

Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Application June 24, 1948,Serial No. 34,952

4 Claims.

This invention relates to cartons which are partitioned or cellular innature and adapted to the packaging of such articles as bottles, lightbulbs, eggs, candy novelties, fruits, vegetables, cookies, etc.

An object of the invention is to so construct a single blank from sheetmaterial that a cellular carton comprising walls, spaced partitions,andif desired a top or cover may be readily` and quickly set up byautomatic folding carton machinery at a high rate of speed, the cartonbeing collapsible into flat form after being so set up to therebyfaciliate storage, handling, and shipping.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the partitions which formthe individual cells in such manner that they also function tostrengthen certain portions of the carton, particularly the bottom, andrigidify the same from top to bottom, side to side, and end to end. As aresult, when some units are removed from a loaded carton the partitionswill not collapse in the empty cell and the remaining contents are assecurely positioned as though the entire carton were filled.

Still a further object of the invention is to so construct the variouscomponents of the forming blank that, after the carton is partially setup, excepting only the partitions which form the cell-like pockets, thecollapsed or fiatted units may be readily withdrawn from stock andquickly and easily opened by slight pressure exerted on the ends of thecollapsed carton and the partitions positioned properly, thus renderingthe carton ready for immediate use.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the use ofany particular material. Whilein many instances the use ofso-calledpasteboard will prove most satisfactory, substantially anymaterial may be used which is obtainable in sheet form such as plastics,sheet metal, plastic impregnated fabrics or paper, laminate ofcellophane, plastic sheeting, etc. Use of transparent plastic sheetspossesses the advantage of providing a completely transparentpartitioned plastic box particularly suitable for packaging articleswhere it is desirable to display different species of a product in asingle display assembly. c

Various other objects and meritorious features of the invention willbecome apparent from the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts throughout the several figures, and where- Fig. 1 is a plan viewof the sheet material blank used in forming the carton;

Fig. 2 is a perspective illustrating an initial 2 stage in setting upthe carton from the blank illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective illustrating a somewhat more advanced stage offormation; FiFig. 4 is a central transverse section through Fig. 5 is aperspective illustrating the initial step in disposing the partitions toform the interior cellular structure;-

Fig. 6 is a section through 6--6 of Fig. 5,'

Fig. 7 is a perspective illustrating a carton completely formed and setup ready for use;

Fig. 8 is a section through 8--8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective illustrating the carton closed and ready forshipment;

Fig. 10 is a section through III-I0 of'Fig. 9, and

Fig. 11 is a bottom elevation of the carton collapsed for shipment orstorage.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the blank formed from a single sheet ofmaterial is preferably die cut to form the contours shown and scored inlocations to be described hereinafter for facilitating the setting upoperation. The blank comprises side walls I0 and I2 separated by scolelines I I and I3 from what may be designated a duplex end Wallconsisting of sections I4 and I4', the two components being identical inevery way and joined by a score line I5 as illustrated. At the other endof side wall I0 and separated therefrom by score line I'I is the otherduplex end wall consisting of sections I6 and I6' divided by score lineI9. Projecting beyond section I6 and separated therefrom by score line2| is a tab I8, to one side of which adhesive is applied for a purposeto be described hereinafter.

Projecting from one side of said wall II) and separated therefrom byscore line 23 is a wing vcomprising a bottom section I8 beyond which andseparated therefrom by score line 25 is a longitudinal partitionvsection20. The outer margin of partition section 20 is die cut to providelocking tongues 22 and 24 separated by slots 26 and 28 from a centraltongue 3U.

A substantially identical wing separated by score line 21 from thecorresponding sidemargin of end wall I2 is similarly provided with abottom section I8', a longitudinal partition section 20', lockingtongues 22' and 24", slots 26' and 28', and central tongue 30'. Adhesiveis spotted on tongues 22', 24 and 30 adjacent the outer free endsthereof and a band of adhesive 32 is applied across the partitionsection 20' adjacent to but spaced slightly from score line 29 whichseparates it from bottom section I8'.

Projecting beyond the other side margin of side wall I2 and separatedtherefrom by score line 3I is a cover section 34 beyond which extendspaced-apart cover-positioning tabs 36 and 38 separated from section 34by score lines.

Extending beyond the other side margin of side wall Ill is a toppartition section comprising a central cover portion 40, on each side ofwhich and separated by score lines 33 and 35 are transverse partitions42'and 4,4, each of which is notched as indicated at 46 and 48. Coverportion 40 only is connected to the side wall I0 by means of aseparating score line 50, sections 42 and 44 being completely cut awayfrom the margin of the side wall I in the blank-forming die cutoperation.

Beyond the ends of sections I6 and I6 and separated therefrom by scoreline 31 is a transverse partition section 52. This partition section isslotted from score line 31 delineating the margins of end sections I6and I6', the slot being in alignment with score line I9 separating thesections to provide a narrow slotted portion 54 at the base of thepartition and a somewhat wider slotted portion 56 extending outwardly toa point near the end of the partition section.

- The partition section 52 is slotted at its outer free end as indicatedat 58. A score line 60 extends across section 52 in longitudinalalignment with score line 25 separating bottom section I8 from partitionsection 20. A partition section 52 identical in every respect withsection 52 projects beyond the ends of the duplex end wall I4, I4 and isseparated therefrom by score line 39.

Projecting beyond the other end of duplex side wall I6, I6 and separatedtherefrom by score line 4I is an end cover tab 62 divided into sectionsby a score line 64 aligned with score line I9 separating sections I6 andI6. An identical end cover tab 66, similarly separated from the otherend of duplex wall I4, I4, by score line 43 and extending therebeyond isdivided into sections by score line 68.

The first step in setting up the carton from the blank illustrated inFig. 1 and described above is illustrated in Fig. 2. The blank is foldedalong score lines Il, I3 and I1 and the adhesive-coated tab I8 ispressed against the inside of the free margin of side wall I2, thussetting up the side and end walls of the rectangular carton.

The next step illustrated in Fig. 3 involves folding the wings embodyingbottom sections I8 and I8' and longitudinal partition sections 20 andalong score lines 23, 25, 21 and 29, re-

spectively. The fold along score lines 23 and 21 is inwardly andoutwardly along score lines 25 and 29. one side of the latter of whichadhesive has been applied as hitherto described, are then brought intoface-to-face contact and the two partition sections are pressed togetherto form a single integral section extending upwardly from thelongitudinal median line of the bottom of the carton. The bottom isformed by the two component sections I8 and I8', which sections are heldin abutting relation by the integrated longitudinal partition formed ofsections 20 and 28.

Prior to folding inwardly the two wing sections as thus described toform the longitudinal partition and bottom of the carton, transversepartitions 52 and 52 are folded inwardly along score lines 31 and 38,positioning them within the four walls of the carton in juxtapositionThe partition sections 2U and 2D', to

with the end walls, respectively, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and4. It should be noted that the distance between score lines 31 and 60 oftransverse partition section 52, and correspondingly in conjunction withtransverse partition section 52', is equal to a specific fiaction of thelength of the carton. For example, for purposes of illustration herein aten-cell carton has been illustrated and the distance between scorelines 31 and 60 is equal to one-fifth of the longitudinal dimension ofthe carton. The reason for this will appear hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the next step insetting up the carton is to fold the transverse partitions 52 and 52along score lines and 60' by pushing downwardly on their upper edges,respectively. Slot 56 in transverse partition 52, and the correspondingslot in partition 52', receive the integrated longitudinal partition.The slots indicated at 58 in conjunction with transverse partition 52and the corresponding slot in transverse partition 52 are then engagedwith and firmly positioned by the integrated locking tongues of thelongitudinal partition. It will be noted that the thickness of thebottom of the carton is doubled at the base of each of the two cells atthe respective ends of the 4carton by reason of this construction.

During the aforesaid operation of locating the transverse partitions 52and 52, the top partition section, composed of cover portion 40 andpartitions 42 and 44, is moved outwardly about score line 5U andpartitions 42 and 44 are folded down along score lines 33 and 35. Afterthe transverse partiticns 52, 52 are set, the composite unit 40, 42, 44is swung inwardly about score line 5U and the notches 46 and 48 engagedrespectively in the notches at the upper portion of the integratedlongitudinal partition section, these notches being formed by alignednotches 26, 26 and 28, 28', respectively, of the constituent sectionswhich make up the integrated longitudinal partition of the finishedcarton. Thus it will be seen that the portions 42 and 44 form transversepartitions delineating the adjacent central cells of each five-cell unitand cover portion 40 closes the upper end of these two central cells.

End cover tabs 62 and 66 may be folded down along score lines 4I and 43and the cover 34 then folded down along score line 3l, the tabs 36 and38 being inserted inside the wall of the carton on opposite sides ofcover portion 40 to close the carton. The carton completely set upexcept for positioning end cover tabs 62 and 66 and swinging down thecover of the carton is clearly illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, thecompletely closed carton being shown in perspective in Fig. 9 andsectionally in Fig. l0.

Where the end cover tabs 62 and 66 are utilized. it will be seen thatthese, when positioned and in conjunction with the cover portion 40 ofthe top partition section and the main cover 34, provide a doublethickness of material over the entire top of the cellular carton. Thebottom wall of the carton is reinforced by an extra thickness ofmaterial at the base of each pair of end cells, thus furtherstrengthening and rigidifying the carton.

When set up in the form illustrated in Fig. 3, the carton is readilycollapsed into the position illustrated in Fig. 11 by exerting pressuretransversely of the carton against the lower corners of the side wallsIII and l2. Transverse partitions l! and l2' should first be positionedas illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 to lie adjacent the duplex end wallsections. When pressure is'so exerted the integrated longitudinalpartition moves upwardly. carrying the bottom sections i8, I8' inwardlyaround score lines 23 vand 21 into face-to-face contact. The ends of thecarton formed, respectively, by duplex sections Il, Il and I8. i6collapse, respectively, about score lines I and I8 and the transversepartitions 52 and 52 fold inwardly along end central partition-receivingslots and a score line 10 extending between the outer end of slot 56 andnotch 58 in the outer margin of each partition 52, 52. When the cartonis ilatted out in this fashion the end cover sections 62 and I8 foldalong score lines 6I and 68 and the top partition section comprising I0,42- and 44 lies dat against the main cover 3|.

When the box is in the ilatted out or collapsed condition shown in Fig.ll and just described. the individual units are readily stacked forshipment and storage. In order to set a carton up it is only necessaryto remove one from the stack, exert pressure against the extreme ends ofthe collapsed carton to straighten out the bottom and end walls, andmove the transverse partitions 52 and 52 down into thev operativeposition illustrated in Fig. 5 and described above. The carton is thenloaded and the top' partition section folded down, the end coversections and main cover being folded down after loading of the cartonhas been completed.

As will have been noted from the foregoing description, the operation ofsetting the box up into atted condition for storage is the essence ofsimplicity. Only the end tab I8 and one of the constituent units of theultimately integrated transverse partition need be supplied withadhesive, and only two pressure operations at these adhesive-spottedlocations, respectively, are required.

ile I have described a carton comprised oi' ten cells, it will beapparent that the essence of the invention comprising a single blankhaving longitudinal and transverse partition sections extending awayfrom the side walls of the blank is susceptible to various modificationswherein cartons providing any number of cells may be developed. The useof separate cell-forming assemblies is entirely eliminated, thusobviating a separate assembly of outside carton and interior cellformingstructures. The carton and its compartments can be made to any desirabledimensions, the practical limit being only by the size ofavailablemanufacturing equipment. The number of compartments that may bedesired is limited only by the increasing complexity of the assemblyoperation.

While I have described sections 20 and 2li' as longitudinal" partitionsections, it 'should be understood that, depending on the size andproportions of the article to be packaged, these partition sections maybe flexibly connected by a score line to either the long or the shortmargins of the side walls and the other sections correspondinglyrearranged.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention, variousmodiilcations lying within its scope will be apparent to those skilledin `the art and for that reason I wish to limit myself only by theappended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A cellular carton comprising side walls, end walls collapsibleoutwardly along their vertical median line, a bottom wall collapsibleinwardly along its longitu median line, a longitudinal y 6 partitioncentrally disposed within the carton integral with said bottom wall andmovable upwardly -into the carton on collapsingof the botv tom wall.said longitudinal partition'including notched locking tongues adjacentits ends. and transverse partition members flexibly connected.respectively, to the bottom margins of the end walls, each saidpartition being divided by a transverse foldline into a bottomreinforcing portion and a cell wall portion and being slotted outwardlyfrom a point adjacent its connection with its respective end wall forreception of the longitudinal lpartition and slotted inwardly fromitsouter free margin to form between adjacent ends of the respectiveslots 'a solid portion engageable inthe notch of a locking tongue whenthe bottom reinforcing portion of the transverse partition memberoverlies the bottom and the cell wall 'portion is disposed' normalthereto.-

2. A cellular carton comprising side walls. end walls collapsibleoutwardly along their vertical median line, a bottom wall collapsibleinwardly along its longitudinal median line, a longitudinal partitioncentrally disposed within the carton integral with said bottom wall andmovable upwardly into the carton on collapsing of the bottom wall. saidlongitudinal partition including notched lockingy tongues adjacent itsends, and transverse partition members exibly connected, respectively,to the bottom margins of the -end walls. each sa partition being dividedby a transverse fold line into a bottom reinforcing portion and a cellwall portion and being slotted outwardly from a point adjacent itsconnection with its respective end wall for reception of thelongitudinal partition and slotted inwardly from its outer free marginto form between adjacent ends of the respective slots a solid portion amargin 4of which is engageable in the notch of a locking tongue 'whenthe bottom reinforcing portion of the transverse partition memberoverlies the bottom and the cell wall portion is disposed normalthereto.

3. vA cellular carton comprising side walls, end' A of the end walls,each said partition being divided by a transverse fold line into abottom reinforcing portion and a cell wall portion and bcing slottedoutwardly from a point adjacent lits connection with its respective endwallfor reception of the longitudinal partition and slotted inwardlyfrom its outer free margin to form between adjacent ends of therespective slots a solid portion the upper margin of which is engageableunder the notch of a locking tongue when the bottom reinforcing portion`of the transverse partition member overlies the bottom and the cellwall portion is disposed normal thereto. l

4. A cellular carton comprising side walls. end walls collapsibleoutwardly along their vertical median line, a bottom wall collapsibleinwardly along its longitudinal median line, a longitudinal partitioncentrally disposed within the carton integral with said bottom wall andmovable upwardly into the carton on collapsing of the botmeer 7 tomwall, said longitudinal partition including notched locking tonguesadjacent itsends, and transverse partition members iiexibly connected,respectively, to the bottom margins o! the end walls, each saidpartition being divided by a transverse fold line into a. bottomreinforcing portion and a cell wall portion and being slotted outwardlyfrom a point adjacent its connection with its respective end wall forreception ot the longitudinal partition and slotted inwardly from 10 itsouter i'ree margin to form between adjacent ends of the respective slotsa solid portion engsgeable in the notch of a locking tongue when thebottom reinforcing portion o! the transverse partition member overliesthe bottom and the cell wall portion is disposed normal thereto, and atap partition section connected to the top edge of one o1 said sidewalls. said top partition section embodying opposed marginally slottedtransverse partition sections. the slots in said seetions beingengageable with the longitudinal partition tn form cells adjacent w saidend cells. HUBERT VELMAN HOLDING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTE Number Name Date 1,972,707 Gross Sept. 4, i9342,069,997 Carr Feb. 5, 1937 2,089,067 Myers Aug. 3, 1937 2,163,290Powell June 20, 1939 2,431,932 Hall Dec. 2, 1947 2,450,941 Crane Oct.12, 1948 2,460,108 Smith et a1 Jan. 25, 1949 2,482,676 Riley et al. Feb.22, 1949

